Brad Potter, chairman for the event, said there were 53 tables of items.

“That’s all we can get in here and still have room to walk,” he said. “We’ve had a good turnout over the past several years. With the silver and gold market going up, that contributes to the success of the shows.”

Flipping through the pages of a book of quarters was Carthage resident Judson Dunnaway. He said he has collected all kinds of coins for five years.

“I come over here all the time,” he said. “It’s a good hobby.”

Also in the coin-loving business, David Decker and his fiance, Linda Pragg, had a couple of tables of mint, single and proof coins. They have a personal collection of 3,000 coins and are selling 6,000-7,000 coins.

“It is the world’s greatest hobby,” Decker said. “It’s right up there with metal detecting. You can’t lose.”

Decker and Pragg have been together for seven years, and sell coins from their home in Webb City.

While some collectors were continuing their traditions, some were just starting theirs.

Kevin Eagan and his son, Jordon, were looking through sportscards.

“He likes basketball and I like football,” Kevin Eagan said.

Across the room, Marlin Willoughby has his collection of stamps on display. This dealer has been collecting since he was 6 years old, and started dealing 20 years ago.

“I’ve had a lot of fun with it,” he said. “You make a lot of friends that way. Ebay is fun, but in person is a lot better.”